Why Are Appearances of Truth So Important to the Educational Process?
Key Concept: Unless a person is instructed through appearances he will not allow himself to be instructed at all (Arcana Coelestia 1838).
If man were not instructed by appearances, he would not suffer himself to be instructed at all. What is contrary to the appearance he does not believe or comprehend, except at a later period, when he possesses judgment and has been endowed with the faith of charity (Arcana Coelestia 1838:2).
It is thus an eternal truth that a man does not live from himself, but that if he did not appear to live from himself he could not live at all (Arcana Coelestia 1712e).
It may appear what is the nature of the sense of the letter [of the Word], namely that it is according to appearances; and if it were not according to appearances, no one would understand and acknowledge the Word, and thus no one would receive it (Arcana Coelestia 2242:3).
It should be known that neither with man, nor even with angels, are any truths pure, that is, without appearances; for all both in general and in particular are appearances of truth...(Arcana Coelestia 3207:3).
[In order that man may] have truths, and thereby have spiritual life, appearances of truth are given to every one according to his apprehension; which appearances are acknowledged as truths, because they are such that Divine things can be in them (Arcana Coelestia 3387:2).
Why Are Appearances of Truth So Important to the Educational Process?
Key Concept: Unless a person is instructed through appearances he will not allow himself to be instructed at all (Arcana Coelestia 1838).
If man were not instructed by appearances, he would not suffer himself to be instructed at all. What is contrary to the appearance he does not believe or comprehend, except at a later period, when he possesses judgment and has been endowed with the faith of charity (Arcana Coelestia 1838:2).
It is thus an eternal truth that a man does not live from himself, but that if he did not appear to live from himself he could not live at all (Arcana Coelestia 1712e).
It may appear what is the nature of the sense of the letter [of the Word], namely that it is according to appearances; and if it were not according to appearances, no one would understand and acknowledge the Word, and thus no one would receive it (Arcana Coelestia 2242:3).
It should be known that neither with man, nor even with angels, are any truths pure, that is, without appearances; for all both in general and in particular are appearances of truth...(Arcana Coelestia 3207:3).
[In order that man may] have truths, and thereby have spiritual life, appearances of truth are given to every one according to his apprehension; which appearances are acknowledged as truths, because they are such that Divine things can be in them (Arcana Coelestia 3387:2).
(BACK)